Remembering Simon Small: The Impact of a Talented Engineer and Musician

A look at how one Chicago music scene fixture's life and work reveal the power of community, craft, and connection

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:53am

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An extreme close-up photograph of the weathered, textured surface of a studio mixing console, captured in dramatic, high-contrast lighting to convey the gritty, hands-on craft of music production.The worn, textured surfaces of a music studio's tools of the trade reflect the intimate, collaborative process that sustained Chicago's underground scene.Chicago Today

This article provides an in-depth, human-centered look at the life and impact of Simon Small, a gifted music engineer and producer who was a fixture in Chicago's underground music scene. It explores how Small's approach to mentorship, collaboration, and creating an approachable studio environment helped sustain and empower the local music community, even as he faced personal challenges. The story highlights the social fabric and reciprocal relationships that underpin vibrant creative scenes, offering insights into the evolving role of music producers and engineers.

Why it matters

Simon Small's story provides a lens into the often-overlooked social dynamics and relational foundations that keep local music scenes thriving. His approach to studio work as a collaborative, empowering process rather than a transactional service challenges conventional industry hierarchies and points to the value of 'human-centered' music production. The article also explores how Small's life and work intersect with broader trends around the evolving role of music technology, the importance of community-building, and the emotional costs of pursuing a creative career.

The details

Simon Small was a music engineer and producer who was deeply embedded in Chicago's underground music scene. He moved to the city with a visa and a philosophy that good recording studios are earned through relationships, not just built. Small didn't just engineer bands' recordings - he amplified their sonic identities and helped young artists find their creative voices. He was known for making the often-intimidating world of professional recording feel approachable, acting as a mentor and collaborator rather than a gatekeeper. Small's approach prioritized empathy, patience, and a relational approach to working with both seasoned and emerging musicians. This manifested in practices like carpooling musicians to long recording sessions, providing gear and technical support, and cultivating a studio environment that felt like a sanctuary rather than a crucible.

  • Simon Small moved to Chicago with a visa in hand in the early 2010s.
  • Small tragically passed away in April 2026.

The players

Simon Small

A music engineer and producer who was deeply embedded in Chicago's underground music scene, known for his collaborative approach, technical expertise, and ability to create an approachable studio environment for artists.

Avery Springer

A musician who noted Small's ability to intuit sonic directions for bands.

Marc Bannes

A musician who described his deep trust in Small's abilities as a producer and engineer.

Anna White

A musician who recalled carpooling with Small for long recording sessions.

Weiss

An individual who described how Small removed intimidation from the studio environment and acted as a steward for young bands.

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What they’re saying

“Avery Springer noting how Small could intuit a sonic direction”

— Avery Springer, Musician

“Marc Bannes describing his trust in him”

— Marc Bannes, Musician

“Anna White recalling carpools for eight-hour sessions”

— Anna White, Musician

What’s next

Organizers have set up a benefit show and other tributes to support the people left behind in the wake of Simon Small's passing.

The takeaway

Simon Small's life and work serve as a powerful reminder that the most durable legacies in music are not just recorded riffs or mastered mixes, but the cultures of community, collaboration, and care that people help cultivate. His approach to studio work as a relational practice, rather than a transactional service, offers a model for how to sustain vibrant creative scenes focused on empathy, mentorship, and shared rituals.